Hoping for justice
Cops checking 300 names for Avenue Inn suspects
Niagara Regional Police say they’ve identified 300 young people who were present at a Lundy’s Lane motel trashed by Welland high school students in December.
The police investigation into what happened at the Avenue Inn continues, even though the gaping holes in the drywall and ripped ductwork have been repaired and the discarded condoms and broken alcohol bottles are gone.
What remains, however, is an unpleasant feeling that those responsible for the destruction may not be brought to justice, says the family who owns the Avenue Inn.
“We want them to be held accountable and to take responsibility for what they did,” said Harry Liu, son of motel owners Lee and David Linqi Liu.
Students from Notre Dame College School in Welland and other area high schools rampaged through the Lundy’s Lane motel after a dance on Dec. 9, trashing 22 rooms.
In Room 35, for example, there was a gaping hole in the drywall. In the bathroom, the ceiling tiles and ductwork had been ripped out.
In other rooms, sinks had been ripped from the wall and beer-drenched television sets lay on the floor. Discarded condoms and broken beer and liquor bottles were strewn about the rooms.
Two months and thousands of dollars later, the majority of the damage has been repaired.
The Liu family filed a claim with their insurance company to cover the cost of repairs.
While the company, Co-operators, was quick to process the claim, the company has informed the family it will not be renewing its insurance policy with them.
“Even though they are not going to continue our coverage, they were very helpful,” Harry said.
Thirty- five rooms had been booked by Notre Dame students after the school’s semiformal dance that was held at the Americana, also on Lundy’s Lane.
Students from E. L. Crossley in Fonthill and Centennial and Eastdale schools, both in Welland, also attended the party.
Police have not laid any criminal charges at this point as the investigation continues.
Niagara Regional Police have compiled a list of more than 300 young people who were either registered at the hotel, present in one of the rooms, or had some involvement in the matter.
“The investigation is ongoing as we’re still conducting interviews,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Woods.
The Liu family on Monday said no one from the school board has contacted them since that fateful night. “No one has called us,” Harry said. John Crocco, education director with the Niagara Catholic District School Board, and Notre Dame principal Ralph Defazio told the media shortly after the incident that the party was not a school-sanctioned event.
They said the school board would try to find out who was responsible, but that it would not pay for the damage.
He was not available this week to comment on what the school or board has done since the incident.
The Liu family still hope the students responsible for the damage will come forward.
Several students from Notre Dame and other high schools had offered to assist with cleaning. The family couldn’t accept the help, however, due to liability issues.
“There has been tremendous support from the public and we’re very grateful for that,” Harry added.